NYSE Euronext’s Top Secondary Transaction of 2012

Willkie client Bonduelle Group, the world’s leading producer of processed vegetables, was honored for the leading secondary transaction of 2012 at the Stock Market Annual Conference organized by NYSE Euronext. The award recognized Bonduelle’s innovative €145 million private placement of 3.83% coupon bonds maturing in March 2019.

This inaugural bond issue on the European private placement market was issued and listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris on September 10, thereby making Bonduelle the first French company to have completed a private placement of publicly traded bonds with European institutional investors without the benefit of a public rating. In response to investor demand, the issue was increased from the initially contemplated €100 million to €145 million.

The deal was lauded for allowing Bonduelle to extend its platform of investors, increase the disintermediation of its financing to more than 60% and extend its debt maturity to 5.6 years. Willkie was recognized for its role as legal counsel to Bonduelle. Based in France, Bonduelle has about 9,970 employees operating in 18 countries and brand presence in 80 countries. The company’s business lines comprise tinned vegetables, frozen vegetables and fresh processed vegetables.

The deal was handled by partner Eduardo Fernandez and associates Farah El-Bsat and David Lambert.